by Rocco Ryg
Her feelings of attraction turned to revulsion. Chikara walked up to them and said, “Ahem... maybe we should meet at my house instead. It is my ring, after all.”
Gen shrugged his shoulders. “You have a point, Kaminari-san. Okay, we’ll switch off at your place.” Now Renka felt the attraction and repulsion conflicting, as if pushing against each other in her brain. She wanted to be with Gen, but she didn’t want to be near him at the same time. How this was possible? She truly wanted to love him, but a part of her feared him for reasons she couldn’t fathom.
Chikara scowled a bit as she told Gen, “Good. Stop by at the same time. Now, this is the girl’s rooftop, so... bye.” Renka’s conflicting feelings then turned to one intense form of contempt. She felt insulted, yet nervous at the same time.
Gen curved his lip. “Okay Kaminari-san. I’ll leave you to your lunch.”
Renka’s anger reached its peak. Who was Chikara to tell her to go away? She was willing to share her mother’s heirloom, so why was she such a...
It hit Renka like a tidal wave. She stood there, horrified, as the realization sunk in. These were not her emotions. They were his.
She backed up in terror, her friends all staring at her freaked-out expression. She could feel their concern and confusion, all directed at her well-being. Chikara asked, “Renka? Are you okay?”
“I... I gotta go.” She ran out the door and down the stairs to get as far away from them as possible. How could this be happening? Not only was she feeling other people’s emotions, but she understood them perfectly. It was Gen that felt interest in her, not just the other way around. This made Chikara mad, and she instinctively tried to come between them. Her best friend for years didn’t want Renka around her crush.
When she got to the hall, she paced down the corridor, feeling more foreign emotions along the way. She passed some girls chatting and laughing, which made her happy, and then she passed a lonely punk that made her depressed. Dozens of different feelings invaded her head at once, intruders in her brain that wouldn’t leave. Some students watched her stumble by and laughed, and she felt each thought of a weird girl walking by. She had to get out of there, to a place where nobody would be.
Moments later, Renka found herself in a shower within the girls’ locker room. She curled into a ball and put her hands over her ears to keep the feelings out of her head. When she could feel nothing but her own fear, she began to cry into her sleeves. People always told her she was very empathetic, but now she could literally sense everybody’s moods. She had become a psychic overnight, and it only made her suffer everyone else’s misery.
Only one thing had changed since yesterday. It had to be that ring. Why would her best friend’s mother curse her with that evil jewel? And why did she have to share it with Gen, cursing him with the same ability? Renka wanted to throw it in the ocean and make sure it would never harm anyone again.
While her tears still flowed down her cheeks, she heard the door open and sensed a presence. Whoever it was, they felt scared and genuinely concerned for another person. “Renka? Are you here?” asked Chikara. Renka didn’t want her friend to see her like this. After looking around the lockers, Chikara noticed her in the shower stall. “Renka? What’s wrong?”
“Get away from me!” She panicked and shouted at her best friend, fearful of feeling her emotions as before. It didn’t work. She could feel the shock and confusion that radiated from Chikara’s mind. “You cursed me!”
Although hurt, Chikara wouldn’t leave. “Please, Renka, just tell me what’s happening. I’m your friend, you can tell me anything.”
“I’m... feeling things, Chi... other people’s emotions. I’ve felt them all morning and they won’t stop. Your damn ring did this to me.” Renka felt Chikara’s guilt. She didn’t know anything about her inheritance, but she now knew what it could do. “I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t your fault, but I just want to be alone right now. I don’t want to feel anything.”
Chikara didn’t know what to do. How could her mother’s ring make someone feel the emotions of others? Renka knew that her friend couldn’t decide whether to stay or leave, so she said, “Just go. I don’t need a hug.”
“I’ll tell the teachers you aren’t feeling well.” Chikara walked away, leaving Renka with an increased feeling of sadness, enough for them both. Before she could leave the locker room, Chikara said, “You’re like a sister to me, Ren-chan. I love you, and I’d never hurt you. I’m so sorry this happened.”
“I know, Chi. I love you too.” Chikara walked out and left Renka to her own feelings.
Renka sat in the shower stall for what seemed like hours and worried about the rest of her life. Would she sense these feelings forever, and have to be cooped up in her room to avoid other people? Would she spend her days knowing exactly what everyone around her was feeling, allowing no secrets to stay hidden? She soon wanted to see Chikara again. She needed a trusted shoulder to cry on, even if she had to feel the remorse and pity that came with it.
With impeccable timing, the door to the locker room opened, making Renka light up. Was Chikara back to comfort her? Alas, the emotions she felt were not the same as her friend’s, but worse. She felt a deep sadness, like the kind she felt when some mean kids teased her as a child. As it got closer, she could tell that this person had just been deeply hurt, and the sobbing sounds confirmed it.
A younger girl in thick glasses walked into the shower stall. When she saw that somebody else occupied the lonely space, she bowed and said, “I’m sorry.”
Renka could feel her potent sadness, and as much as she wanted it to go away, she couldn’t bear to see another girl so miserable. “You’re sad.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sad too. Want to talk about it?”
The girl hesitated for a moment. She didn’t expect to find another sad student in the place she came to grieve. Still, a friend wouldn’t hurt. She sat down next to Renka and looked to the ground, too depressed to make eye contact.
“My name is Kusaka Renka. Senior year. What’s your name?”
“Moroboshi Tomo. Sophomore year.”
“Nice to meet you. I wish it was in a better place.” This made both of the girls chuckle, a welcome break from their crying. “Why are you sad?”
“I just got dumped.”
“Your boyfriend dumped you?”
“No, just this guy I liked.”
“I’m sorry. What’s his name?”
“Nokoribi Kaijin. I asked him out, and he said he was dating somebody else.”
Renka remembered this boy. He sat next to Michiko and brought her food. Once again, Nagasado hurt somebody, even if indirectly. She could sense that Tomo was feeling a little better. The sophomore wiped away a tear and asked, “How about you? What makes you sad?”
“I just became a psychic.” Tomo looked at her and giggled. Renka sensed her disbelief, so she added, “Just kidding. There’s this guy I like and... I know now he likes me too.”
“That makes me feel a lot better… not.”
“But my best friend doesn’t like him. I think it’s because of his political views. She’s... you know, very traditional and conservative, and he’s really liberal.”
“That’s a silly difference.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t care about politics.”
The minutes ticked by as the two new friends talked. Renka felt Tomo’s sadness fade away into a relaxed comfort, which made her happy in return. She realized that this gift she had been given may not have been so bad after all. Maybe she could use it to help people in need.
“Thank you, Renka-san,” said Tomo with a genuine smile. “I feel a lot better now. I have to get back to class.”
“Me too. The teachers are about to switch.” Before Tomo left, Renka concentrated on her to make sure she felt better. Amidst the comfort, she sensed a passive feeling of loneliness. “Hey, talk to your friends. I’m sure they’ll cheer you up more.”
“I... don’t really have many friends
.” Tomo’s mood sunk further, and Renka felt her awkward loneliness.
“Then I’ll be your friend. My buddies will be glad to meet you. Let me have your number, and we’ll hang out sometime.” Tomo’s happiness shot through the roof, making Renka’s brain tingle with joy. The two exchanged numbers and went on their way back to class.
***
Renka slipped into her seat just as the previous teacher left, avoiding the embarrassment of being called out and questioned in front of the class. Chikara whispered, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry for shouting at you. I was scared at first, but I think I can get used to this.”
“Renka...” Chikara still couldn’t believe this. “Can you really feel my emotions?”
“Everybody’s. Oh, that must be how I passed the test. I felt everyone’s moods about the answers. This is better than I thought.” Despite her own new-found happiness, she felt her friend’s confusion. Chikara’s brainwaves didn’t lie. She resolved to talk more about it after school. Still amazed with her special gift and willing to practice, Renka concentrated on her fellow classmates. All she had to do was visualize their faces and general direction, and their secret feelings were hers to scan. The boys usually projected feelings of boredom and annoyance, and she picked up a few traces of lust, which made her uneasy. The girls displayed all sorts of emotions, from tedium to interest and everything in between.
Without looking at her, Renka thought about Nagasado Michiko. She had always wondered what her former friend was thinking in her secret lair in the back row. Visualizing her foe’s face, she found herself growing insecure and jealous. The thought of other students started to intimidate her. She folded her arms as if to guard herself. She glanced at Chikara and felt a sneer of hate form on her own lips. Chikara must have been thinking about Michiko’s recent actions. She quickly cut her concentration and thought about a happier student instead. The thoughts from her enemy’s mind frightened her too much to continue.
When the clubs had ended, the two friends walked home. She planned to grab the ring and bring it over to Chikara’s house, so that they could hand it to Gen when he arrived.
Chikara, however, now felt uneasy about letting him have it. “Do you really think we should let Kagekuro-san have it?”
Feeling her indecision, Renka answered, “Of course. If he gets this empathy thing too, we’ll all be happy.”
“How do you know? In fact, how do you know he’ll be able to do what you can?”
Renka tried her hardest to form a defense. “Why would it be any different?”
“I don’t know about this. Why should we give this guy that we don’t even know a supernatural ability? I mean, he’s not even that great a guy. There are so many others I would prefer.”
Renka knew her friend’s true intentions. “Chi... I know you’re scared for me.”
“What?”
“I felt it on the roof. You don’t want me seeing a guy with different views. I know you’re looking out for me, but... I felt his emotions.” She let the truth slip. “He likes me too.”
Chikara didn’t know what to say. She knew that Renka liked Gen, but she never suspected that he liked her back. She remembered elementary school, where Renka was the kindest, most pleasant girl on the playground. She could get anyone to instantly like her, and she made friends with every girl she could find. Some of the boys tried to bully her, so Chikara would scare them off, sometimes with her fists “making friends” with their noses. Since then, the tough conservative and the friendly modern girl were inseparable. Nobody would break them apart.
Upon this reflection, Chikara understood the problem. After all these years, she was still protecting Renka. Now, her best friend wanted to break out of her shell and seek out the guy she desired, with or without her “big sister’s” protection. She was growing up, and it was time for Chikara to stop babying her.
“Does he really like you?” she asked, dreading the answer.
Renka could feel her buddy lightening up. “He sure does. I could feel his interest. He wanted to share with me and spend time with me.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t just lust?”
“No!”
Chikara glared at her. Years of interaction allowed her to know when her friend was lying. Renka clarified, “Okay, maybe a little, but boys are boys, right?”
With a chuckle, Chikara put her arm around her friend. “Okay, you have my blessing. And if things don’t work out, just remember that I’m here for you.”
Sensing the sincerity from her mind, Renka smiled and put her own arm around Chikara. “I know, Chi. Best friends forever.”
That evening, the girls handed the ring to Gen. They didn’t tell him what had happened to Renka. Instead they told him, “There could be side effects.” As he walked out the door, Renka felt Chikara’s worry. She hoped that her mother knew what she was doing and that Chikara wasn’t making a huge mistake.
CHAPTER 4
DARKNESS
When his alarm went off, Kagekuro Gen opened his eyes, only to slap them shut. For some reason, the light from his apartment window irritated him. He covered his body with the blanket and felt the strange pain fade away. His hit the snooze button. Nine minutes later, the pain remained. The light seemed to burn his very skin, as if he had contracted albinism overnight. He resisted the pain enough to shut his blinds, letting the darkness of the room relieve his pain.
“Gen, breakfast.” His mother always had a wake-up meal ready for his family.
“Mom, I’m not feeling well,” he answered through the door.
“Are you sick?”
“No, the light’s just bothering me. A lot.”
Mrs. Kagekuro approached the door, not entirely sold on her son’s claim. “The light is bothering you?”
“Yes. If you come in, can you turn off the kitchen light?”
She did as her son asked and opened the door, making him cover his face even more to block out the remaining light. She felt his forehead. “No fever. Should I call a doctor?”
Gen didn’t even need to think about it. “Yes, I think that would be a good idea. You don’t have to stay, though. I can see him myself.” Although he rarely ever got sick, he always saw a doctor if the opportunity presented itself. Government-funded, universal coverage made Japan’s health care system one of the best in the world. He saw it as his own personal way of criticizing the for-profit American system, with its corrupt practices that left lower-income families bankrupt.
His mother went to the kitchen to call a doctor, a trusted one that didn’t mind making house calls. He never wanted his parents to stay home, as the family needed the money. She worked as a receptionist at a local newspaper (a dying industry) and his father worked as a butcher at a supermarket. With Gen and his little brother saving for college, the Kagekuro family could not afford to miss a paycheck.
He heard a knock on his door, followed by his brother asking, “Gen, are you sick?”
“No, Shuya, I’m just a little light-sensitive now."
“Can you go to school?”
He knew that 10-year-old Shuya didn’t like to walk to school by himself. Bigger, less enlightened kids would often pick on him due to his family’s history. “No, I’m staying home. I’m sorry, but I can’t walk today.” He could almost feel the boy’s apprehension through the door. “Listen, Shuya, I’m not going to be around forever. If anyone at school gives you crap, you should tell them to back off, because I’ll be there next time. Got that?”
“Got it. Thank you, big brother.” Shuya went back to the kitchen for his breakfast, leaving his isolated sibling to wait for the doctor.
***
“Ow ow ow! Stop it!” Gen cried out from the pain caused by the Dr. Masashi’s pen light on his arm.
“Interesting.” The middle-aged doctor moved the light to his notebook, as the darkened room prevented him from seeing. “You’re usually a very healthy young man, Gen-san, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“You mean my skin being burned by a flashlight? Yeah, I’m a little confused too.”
“Are you sure this has never happened to you? No history of light-sensitivity or allergy?”
“Not that I can recall.”
“You aren’t a vampire, are you?”
“I don’t know, but your neck is looking pretty tasty right now.”
The puzzled Dr. Masashi concluded, “I really don’t know what to tell you. I’ve heard of some medications that can treat light sensitivity, so I will call a few friends in the field. I hope you can wait until tomorrow.”
“Sure doctor, I can wait in this dark, desolate room for another day.” The physician was growing bored of the young man’s rude, sarcastic attitude. He had been this way since he was thirteen, which led Masashi to wonder what made the boy so bitter.
Before he left, the doctor asked, “By the way, that is a nice ring you’re wearing.”
Gen looked at his finger and answered, “Oh yeah, some girl at school gave it to me. She said her dead mother wanted me to have it. Weird, huh?” As the doctor left, Gen put the information together. He put the ring on last night, and now...
He quickly dismissed the thought as supernatural nonsense. Rings don’t cause light allergy. What am I thinking? He opened his cell phone, withstood the pain from the light it emitted, and dialed the manga store where he worked part-time. He would have to take the night off, a first in his short career as a cashier.
***
Meanwhile, Chikara caught Renka listening to another leftist speech before the start of class. The Democratic Youth Leaguers spoke without their leader captivating the crowd. They tried their hardest, but they couldn’t match his level of talent and charisma. Chikara could see concern written all over Renka’s face, but Renka could feel none from her. “Chikara, Gen-kun isn’t here.”
“Yes, I see that. Maybe he finally grew up and got a life.”
“I’m serious! We gave him that ring last night, remember? What if something’s wrong with him? What if he grew an extra head?”